13 November 2026

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Cone Beam Imaging Facility

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The Indiana University School of Dentistry provides scanning services by appointment.

Community impact

All scans performed in our facility are interpreted by an oral and maxillofacial radiologist on our faculty, and a detailed interpretation report is generated for every patient scan.

Dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides anatomical image data similar to a medical CT scan. While a patient receives much more radiation with a cone beam scan than with other standard dental imaging methods, it is a much lower radiation dose than a medical scan.

A 3-D image is made with one scan sweep around the patient using a cone-shaped X-ray beam, resulting in several hundred dimensionally accurate images. Computer software reconstructs these images into multiplanar views at a 1:1 ratio.

Why it matters

While CBCT generates accurate measurements that are essential for implant placement or other treatment that requires precision, it is not appropriate for diagnosis of dental caries or other fine details that are more easily seen through standard dental imaging.

Source: https://dentistry.iu.edu/ce-professional-services/cone-beam-imaging/index.html